Dogri Manta Divas
Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
“Dogri is my mother tongue.
It is because of the fact that ancestrally I am a Dogra.
I have been born in Duggar Pradesh and as such I am bound to carry on my traditions at every point of my life that proclaims my identity as a Dogra.
Although I may not be aware of many dying traditions but whatever are in practice, I do practice with my family and ensure that legacy of such practices should transfer from generation to generations because these are our roots. One who detaches from the roots finds himself nowhere in this vast world.
I am very much honest towards my identity.
Is there any doubt?
But, yes I have a drawback-that I can’t speak Dogri. I have never encouraged my children to speak Dogri. Rather I may recall that many-a-time I and my wife have raised strong objections whenever they tried to converse with us in Dogri. It has a reason. Dogri has not been recognized as a medium of expression in highly qualified class even among Dogras. I am Sorry, but no compromise with future prospects of kids. After all one has to take care of career also. Honestly speaking, still I respect my traditions and my language as well.”
These are the views of many ‘ Dogras’ living abroad or in other parts of country which should be a concern for us. Taking care of traditions merely out of compulsion or a fashion for showing others our commitment towards our roots is just a show-off which yields no positive outcome until you show respect towards your mother tongue from the core of heart. It’s just to express before others belonging to different regions having different culture background that you are so alarmed for your dying traditions and shed crocodile tears.
However, the same class of so called thoughtful and anxious persons are found in our surroundings also. They do exhibit their grave concern about threat to our culture, traditions and mother tongue Dogri. But to what extent they have contributed beyond their ‘self’ is a point of debate.
Yes, again December 22nd has come.
The day attributed to long struggle for getting constitutional status for our mother tongue. Almost all organizational and individual efforts were made for the noble mission and success was a moment of gratification for all Dogri speaking people.
On this day in 2003, Dogri was included in 8th schedule of constitution of India.
Now every year, the day is celebrated as ‘DOGRI MANTA DIVAS’
Quite harsh, but is worth mentioning that it’s a day when the opportunistic organizations and individuals leave no stone unturned to show devotion and dedication for mother tongue that even “Maa Dogri” might feel embarrassed. It seems all is manipulated to catch the headlines and be among the torch bearers of language. Whereas the truth needs no curtains to hide the fate of our dear mother tongue during rest of days. It’s just like the visit of a high profile political leader when everything is should be at its place that there should not be even a minor loophole to be registered by the dignitaries. The leader shows his concern for so many issues faced by masses and their solutions are made from the podium itself. What happens after the high profile function is over is not a secret at all.
It’s a harsh fact that mother tongues are facing a threat world over and are at the brink of extinction. We should seek lessons from it that once the languages that were so popular have met fatal end because the inhabitants of that regions showed no apprehension for saving them from other languages making a dent.
No malice to other language, but respect is utmost need of time for mother tongue. We can’t boast of safeguarding our traditions and culture by ignoring our mother tongue.
How is it possible?
Our mother tongue is our root that leads to other aspects of our culture. But what is happening at ground is what matters most. Recently Dogri has been included as one of five official languages of UT of J & K. Different organizations are working hard for the noble cause of realizing Dogras that their identity is intact only if their mother tongue survives. I think the realization is showing the result.
But at the same time, organizations meant to boost regional languages like Doordarshan Kendra Jammu is almost closed. The programs of Aakashwani Jammu have been curtailed. Astonishingly, J & K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages doesn’t believe in work. The annual drama script award is pending for years, Sheeraja publications and the payments to writers and performers are never in time. It is not prepared to seek lessons from other academies which are active through virtual modes even during Covid19 pandemic.
However,Still the positive waves come from so many books published every year that shows that there is no dearth of writers who wish to contribute towards illustrious Dogri literature. We have dedicated organizations like Dogri Sanstha Jammu, Duggar Manch, Kunwar Viyogi Trust, Meri Mittra Mandali Udhampur, Nami Dogri Sanstha and so many others working in different corners of Duggar Pradesh as a platform for Dogri. Some of the organizations are in limelight for having easy approach to media and others rely on local level literary meets which are in fact nectar for language. It guarantees the participation to that level where it means because it’s not for getting media coverage, but for quenching thirst within and inspiring others to be a part of movement.
The internet revolution has helped a lot in this cause. While sitting in comfort zones in cities with eyes focussed on a couple of organizations we used to evaluate the contribution made for reviving whole hearted contribution for Dogri. But the social media has given wings to talent from far flung areas and explored it to a vast canvas. Watching their keen interest for the language gives us all hopes.
But we have to be honest towards them.
The need of hour is to reach them.
Let education in primary classes be made compulsory in Dogri and qualified teachers are posted in schools all over particularly in remotest areas where there is a light of hope for mother tongue.
Let we focus on establishing libraries in every village, a culture of reading is developed and the readers are provided with Dogri literature so that they should realize that their literature is at par with world literature.
Let this year’s ‘Dogri Manta Divas’ be celebrated with a resolution to take a leap towards reality and work on some concrete ideas for promoting mother tongue to reach each nook and corner.
Let this day be an opportunity for our self realization for what our mother tongue demands from us.
Let we be honest to realizes that demand, which is in fact a blessing for we all Dogras.
Happy ‘Dogri Manta Divas’ to all.
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